Wednesday, January 9, 2013

A village farewell.



How does the news spread so quickly ? The old widow in the house at the crossroads dies on Sunday night. Four years after her husband. So often the case.  By Tuesday afternoon the roads around the village hall solid with parked cars. Family, friends, neighbours, shopkeepers, acquaintances. The hearse , when it arrives half an hour late, a jaunty , luminous , duo-tone affair in silver and green. She's asked for a civil ceremony. The mayor in his blazer, beige crimplene trousers  and pork pie hat officiating. The coffin placed on the  black crepe decorated stage ; DJ Florians disco ball from the Christmas festivities dangling above. The smell of hyacinths.

Everyone asked to say a few words. Some, the older farmers and their wives, more garrulous than others. Some much more so.  ' The font ' recites, in French, a brief Mary Oliver poem

Someone I loved once gave me
a box full of darkness

It took me years to understand
that this, too, was a gift 

Afterwards two glasses of wine in the village hall. The mayor wanders up and says '' that's been thirsty work ". Cue for an invitation to the Rickety Old Farmhouse . There in the upstairs hallway , the mayor and his wife, forty or so villagers, the Bay grandchildren, the old farmer in his jeans and plaid shirt , a Yorkie ; a champagne  toast to ' absent friends '. The old farmer turns to me and says ' she was always kind ' . The timelessness of village life. Not such a bad way to go. More ' au revoir ' than ' adieu ' .


21 comments:

  1. Was that the lady that had the Lab that waited for it's master? Sad.

    I think I'm going to have to move to your village. I know everyone there.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yes it sounds like she had a good send off. With champagne of course.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm sorry about the loss in your village; 'the fonts' verse so very appropriate.


    Was this perhaps Oliver's or Kelly the Hoover dog's mistress?

    ReplyDelete
  5. So very sorry t hear of the old widow's passing.
    A village grieving together is such a caring touch to her legacy. Her wishes honoured. May she rest in peace.
    Bet you didn't realise that the wake was to be held at the ROF?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This being France it was the post wake, wake.

      Delete
  6. What a lovely send off, although it's sad to see someone depart. It sounds as if she was much beloved!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sounds like a nice village - and you are the waterhole for champagne there. Was she Oliver's mistress? Take care love from Susanne, Daisy, Foxiie (grumpy little older man) and Kiri (wreckless little puppy)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I actually find that to be a lovely send off. What an interesting life to have living in the village!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am also wondering as are some other commenters if the widow has not only joined her husband but also Oliver or Kelly.

    Beautiful post Angus & a lovely farewell. Loved the reception description of those gathered in the upstairs hallway. Farewell to a lovely "character" of your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your hosting forty or so guests for libations was a very lovely way for you to remember the departed widow. Hate to see these fine old country folk pass. God rest her soul.
    Did you serve Veuve Clicquot in her honour?

    ReplyDelete
  11. I don't know why,but the old farmer's comment caused tears. Hope that is said about me when the time comes.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Sorry to hear this! I like the van though!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Makes me melancholy - just 4 years ago, a farmer, a wife and a dog; now all gone...

    ReplyDelete
  14. I shall raise my glass to the widow at the crossroads.....

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a beautiful and touching farewell, or au revoir. Between the farmer's comment to you and the Mary Oliver, I'm sniffling. But I raise a toast to the widow at the crossroads. Now she and her husband can be together again.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Champagne and a Mary Oliver poem..sounds like the perfect farewell to me....

    ReplyDelete
  17. I was wondering if this was Kelly's companion? Such a nice tribute. May she at peace!

    Susan

    ReplyDelete